Forced flu shot at work

sure what ev

My OB told me they've vaccinated for the wrong strain of flu for the past several years. When I worked with the public around a lot of sick people my immune system was better. I was never sick. I'd still get it to keep my job though. It may benefit some. I never looked into what my OB said since I don't get a flu shot anyway.

You can't sue an employer for placing immunization restrictions on employment. No one is forcing you to get the flu shot--they're saying if you want to keep working there, you need to get the flu shot. If you want to find employment elsewhere, then do so, and you don't need to get the flu shot. I expect that if you decide to work at Staples, or McDonalds, or etc etc. you won't have to get a flu shot. No one is forcing you to work in healthcare.

If you want to continue working in a hospital, it seems reasonable to get a vaccine that has been found in study after study to lessen the number and severity of cases of the flu. Seems a bit selfish to object to something that can protect those you care for--even if you are far from patients, you still make your paycheck from an institution that cares for patients, therefore you should be immunized.

The flu shot can't make you sick--it's a DEAD virus. To say "I got the flu shot and got the worst flu of my life from it" means you lack a basic understanding of the science of vaccinations.

My OB told me they've vaccinated for the wrong strain of flu for the past several years. When I worked with the public around a lot of sick people my immune system was better. I was never sick. I'd still get it to keep my job though. It may benefit some. I never looked into what my OB said since I don't get a flu shot anyway.

The flu shot for the last couple of seasons has actually been pretty good. Immunizing health care workers has been demonstrated over and over to reduce flu in patients. so yes, it does benefit others.

Seeing as you work in a hospital, I totally understand it. I never get the flu shot, I'd get just as sick with the shot as I would w/o it.. So I don't even want it..but if I choose to work in a hospital I'd understand that I would have to do these things... =/ Check the laws... Make sure.

But do you touch the same doors handles as patients? Use the same restrooms? Germs can spread just by being in the same building as the patients. Especially those with weakened immune systems. Just something you may not have thought about...

I'm all for it. If you chose to work in a hospital than you should do everything you can to not get sick and spread illness. If you don't want to follow those rules, go into home healthcare were you can be your own boss.

Yes I see what you mean but I work in an office away from patients.

I work for a hospital as well and they implemented the mandatory flu shot about 2 years ago. At first I was like WTH, but figured I needed my job more and they were simply trying to keep me and our patients protected from a nasty illness.

I work in Labor and Deliver and deal with the babies. I would rather get the flu shot than possibly give the flu to one of my babies. Also we have had a couple of pregnant women die of the flu, alot of our Dr's require the moms to get the flu shot in their office. Our hospital also pays for them. I say get it, but that's just me.

Yes! My twin boys were in the NICU for 8w...while there they contracted MRSA, along with some other babies...also a nurse tested positive for MRSA at that time...they spent 6 wks in quarantine because their nurse didn't wash her hands....you can't play around with things like that. Nothing bad happened, but it could have.

I am a teacher and I get the flu shot every year, it has never made me sick. The years that I didn't get it I also seem to get sicker with other things more often. I wish we could get it for free.

My sister never used to get her flu shot, last year she had the flu and thought she might die. Not literally, but she sure felt like it. She said she will never not get it again.

for the past few yrs the to hospitals i've worked at has required us to get it. it's mandatory for us who work in the ER and L&D! @ the one hospital if we work in these 2 areas and don't get it they will transfer us to a different dept IF they have any opennings if not too bad for us we made our bed.... if you work in these to areas you are in the "line of fire" to either get it or give it. for me i'd rather just get the shot if i can prevent my kids from getting sick from me or if i worked in l&d i don't want to be the person responsable to giving a newborn or a premee the flu.....

I'm all for it. If you chose to work in a hospital than you should do everything you can to not get sick and spread illness. If you don't want to follow those rules, go into home healthcare were you can be your own boss.

Yes I see what you mean but I work in an office away from patients.

Me too but it's not like we're in isolation. My office doesn't have a private door to the outside. I don't have a private bathroom. The cafeteria is shared with patients and their families. Patients and families always stop us in the hallways to help them find their way.

I get the shot because it's free and I don't have time to be sick.

I would refuse it since I have never had a flu shot before, and I never had the flu.
All of my other friends who had it would get it, and if I have to wear a mask all day to test my immunity, then so be it.
I shouldn't have to have vaccinations forced into my body unless I agree to them.

I have been in hospitals for 30+ years. I used to get the flu shot , like a good little soldier. I stopped a few years ago, when the CDC admitted they "goofed" up the formulas. hmmm.
I also have not had the flu for years, if ever.
It is mandatory for patient care staff, or they may choose to wear a mask during patient contact.
So while I appreciate all the comments from people who say we work where we do, so we should do everything we can to keep the patients healthy....how would you feel if your employer told you that "doritos" are not allowed because you are overweight , or you must take this shot to increase your productivity.....seriously think about it. Where does this type of thing end?

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If a hospital worker has the flu he/ she shouldn't be working in the hospital until they are better.
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And who will take care of the patients while that worker is out? It's not like a desk job where your work waits for you until you come back. Patients require 24-7 care--you have to be half dead to call out sick.

In my current position, I am 50% of the workforce--it's me and another provider for the duration of my shift. I have yet to call out sick; I self medicate to control my symptoms and I show up for work. I wait until a day off to wallow in my illness. I can think of 2 times in the last year where one of my partners called in sick--one case he was in the ER with a kidney stone, the other he was pooping uncontrollably.

I couldn't believe the way I felt after being practically forced to get the flu shot, as soon as I came back to my office I felt immediately sick...I got a sore throat and runny nose, that night I had nausea, chills, and a fever, I felt like utter crap and I never get sick. I researched about the flu shot that night and people say you cannot get sick from the flu shot, but why do so many? And immediately after getting said shot? I've never had the flu in my life but for the first time in my 30 years after getting the shot I felt like I had it. Never again will I get the flu shot and no one better make me.